1-year-old boy among dead in 1 of 2 crashes on I-95 in Flagler, St. Johns

St. Johns Fire Rescue This crash on Interstate 95 at Mile Marker 301 in St. Johns County on Saturday night killed four people. It happened about two hours after a fatal crash in Flagler County.

A 1-year-old Jacksonville boy was among the four people killed in the second of two accidents that left six dead Saturday night on Interstate 95 in Flagler and St. Johns counties, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

And while the scenes of the two accidents were reopened to traffic Sunday after initial cleanup occured, one lane of I-95 southbound at Mile Marker 301 in southern St. Johns County is scheduled to be closed at 1 p.m. Monday to determine how badly damaged the roadway was in the fiery second crash, according to state road officials.

Two people were killed in the first crash about 5:30 p.m. on southbound I-95 south of Palm Coast Parkway in Flagler County. The other four, including the toddler, died when some of the 11 vehicles, including three tractor-trailer trucks, caught fire about two hours later on I-95 at Mile Marker 301 in St. Johns County. Together, the accident shut down the southbound lanes of the interstate until mid-afternoon Sunday.

The Highway Patrol reports that Pennington’s truck failed to stop at 7:25 p.m. for the traffic jam caused by the first accident and rear-ended other vehicles. Two tractor trailer trucks and a car erupted into flames due to the crash, resulting in the deaths of Pennington and two others in a car. Another person was killed when their car crashed and oveturned in the chain-collision accident, the Highway Patrol said.

The Florida Department of Transportation will close the southbound outside lane for about an hour Monday to take samples of the asphalt to determine the extent of damage after the fire. Preliminary reports indicate about 300 feet of damage to the outside travel lane and paved shoulder where a truck and several passenger vehicles burned late Saturday. While the travel lane is now open, long-term damage will occur if the pavement is not replaced, state officials said.

As for the first accident, Michael Benjamin Chance Smith, 17, of Jacksonville and Pamela Taylor Thor, 56, of St. Augustine, were killed when two pickup trucks and a car collided. Smith was a passenger in a Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck driven by Roy Roger White, 38, of Jacksonville who sustained minor injuries and was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler in Palm Coast. Thor, who was driving a Honda Civic, died at the scene.

The other pickup truck, a Chevrolet Silverado, was driven by Michael Jeffrey Mervis, 53, of Boynton Beach, who had a passenger, Kimberly Patricia Martinson, 47, also of Boynton Beach. Mervis wasn’t injured. Martinson sustained minor injuries but wasn’t taken to a hospital, the highway patrol said.

White, Thor, Mervis and Martinson all had been wearing their seat belts, but Smith wasn’t, the preliminary investigation showed.

In the first crash, the highway patrol said White was driving north on I-95 when his pickup drifted onto the east shoulder of the highway. White apparently over-corrected and his truck crossed the northbound lanes, struck a guardrail and became airborne. While it was airborne, White’s truck flew over the top of the guardrail and hit the top of Thor’s car, which was traveling south in the inside lane. White’s truck then hit Mervis’ truck which was southbound in the center lane. Smith was ejected from White’s truck after it hit Mervis’ truck, according to the highway patrol.

And you think they just wanted increase the speed limit on some stretch of the road to 75......the problem is people don't pay attention. Distracted by something else.......causes to many people to die.....

"As long as there are questions to be asked and answers to be made, I'll be there"

2872 points

The Enquirer

Monday, June 2, 2014 @ 10:13 am

I see it all the time on the road. Inattentive driving is probably the main killer on the roads. People have got to understand how dangerous driving can be. They must take it serious and quit using their vehicles as a rolling lounge. Talking on cell phones, texting or just carrying on a deep conversation with their passengers. The other day I came upon a little traffic jam. When I finally was able to pass the main culprit, a car going about 40 mph on I-95, I noticed the driver holding an I-pad and texting. I just wanted to ram the idiot off the road. Then I realized that sooner or later someone will if he keeps that up. I notice people all the time still driving without their seat belts. Bad habit. Treat driving as if it is the most dangerous thing you will do, because it is.

Absolutely! I was northbound on 95 and went by the scene while one of the trailers was still popping and burning. Its a clear stretch of road and traffic was backed up for miles - CLEARLY visible. While we were waiting on our side to move, I had a truck on my back bumper. We weren't going anywhere yet all I could see were 2 headlights in my rear view mirror. No need to be so close. If he had popped his clutch, he would have been in my trunk.
Its sickening that lives were lost due to carelessness and obvious inattention while driving. So sad!